Observe-Browsing-Topics header

Non-standard: This feature is not standardized. We do not recommend using non-standard features in production, as they have limited browser support, and may change or be removed. However, they can be a suitable alternative in specific cases where no standard option exists.

Deprecated: This feature is no longer recommended. Though some browsers might still support it, it may have already been removed from the relevant web standards, may be in the process of being dropped, or may only be kept for compatibility purposes. Avoid using it, and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

Warning: This feature is currently opposed by two browser vendors. See the Standards positions section for details of opposition.

The HTTP Observe-Browsing-Topics response header is used to mark topics of interest inferred from a calling site's URL (i.e., the site where the ad tech <iframe> is embedded) as observed in the response to a request generated by a feature that enables the Topics API. The browser will subsequently use those topics to calculate top topics for the current user for future epochs.

See Using the Topics API for more details.

Header type Response header

Syntax

http
Observe-Browsing-Topics: ?1

Directives

?1

A character sequence declaring that topics of interest inferred from a calling site's URL (i.e., the site where the ad tech <iframe> is embedded) are marked as observed. The browser will subsequently use those topics to calculate topics of interest for a user for future epochs.

Specifications

This feature is not part of an official standard, although it is specified in the Topics API Unofficial Proposal Draft.

Browser compatibility

desktop mobile
Chrome
Edge
Firefox
Opera
Safari
Chrome Android
Firefox for Android
Opera Android
Safari on iOS
Samsung Internet
WebView Android
WebView on iOS
Observe-Browsing-Topics
Deprecated Non-standard
Chrome – Full support
Chrome 115 (Release date: 2023-07-18)
footnote Full support
Edge – Full support
Edge 115 (Release date: 2023-07-21)
footnote Full support
Firefox – No support
Firefox
footnote No support
Opera – Full support
Opera 101 (Release date: 2023-07-26)
footnote Full support
Safari – No support
Safari
footnote No support
Chrome Android – Full support
Chrome Android 115 (Release date: 2023-07-21)
footnote Full support
Firefox for Android – No support
Firefox for Android
footnote No support
Opera Android – Full support
Opera Android 77 (Release date: 2023-08-31)
footnote Full support
Safari on iOS – No support
Safari on iOS
footnote No support
Samsung Internet – Full support
Samsung Internet 23 (Release date: 2023-10-18)
footnote Full support
WebView Android – Full support
WebView Android 115 (Release date: 2023-07-21)
footnote Full support
WebView on iOS – No support
WebView on iOS
footnote No support

Legend

Tip: you can click/tap on a cell for more information.

Full support
Full support
No support
No support
Non-standard. Check cross-browser support before using.
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.

See also